Last Chance

Theater

“Into the Woods”--”I wish.” These restless words are at the beginning and the end of “Into the Woods,” the wise and witty musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. Even after “Into the Woods” opened on Broadway in 1987, wishes kept cropping up in Lapine’s mind, as the librettist and director thought about the show. His wishing led to an altered version of “Into the Woods,” now at the Ahmanson Theatre, with changes in the staging and design and a few slightly modified lines. It would be a cruel irony if Lapine’s efforts got him into trouble. If the characters in this musical learn anything, it’s that desires can backfire when they come true. “Careful the wish you make,” wrote composer-lyricist Sondheim. Fortunately, Lapine and Sondheim avoided that trap. Most of their changes make minor improvements in what was already a masterpiece. Blessed with an impressive cast, this new “Into the Woods” emerges from the thickets in triumph. Besides an impressive cast and a lustrous set, it includes a dynamic new blocking for “The Last Midnight,” a second wolf, more action for the cow and the narrator, and other interesting changes in design and staging.

Don Shirley

“Into the Woods” ends Sunday at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. (213) 628-2772.

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Also closing this weekend:

“A Night in November” --An Irish Protestant throws off the blinders of bigotry and embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery in this superb multi-character turn by Marty Maguire, which ends Sunday at the Celtic Arts Center, 4843 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village/L.A., (818) 760-8322.

“Naples and Vesuvius on the Grand Tour”--The exhibition of books, maps, travel albums and a foldout postcard peep show from 18th century Italy closes Sunday at the Getty Research Institute Gallery, Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A., (310) 440-7300.

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“Hollywood Comes to Pasadena”--This exhibition exploring the relationship between Hollywood and Pasadena features props, equipment, photos and videos from some of the 525 films and 105 TV shows shot there. It ends Sunday at the Pasadena Historical Museum, 470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena, (626) 577-1660.